Greatness Kingdom Style

20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

In our world, today and through the ages the word greatness has always sparked debate.

My Dad would tell you that Chevy is the best vehicle.

My uncle would say that Ford is.

I have one uncle who is a die-hard Green bay fan, and another that is a Dallas fan.

People can and will debate for hours over products, teams, sports, brands, and all kinds of other subjects.

WE STRIVE for greatness. We all desire great families, spouses, kids, cars, houses, jobs and even churches.

We raise our kids to aspire to be great. And we often measure greatness by these standards.

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Today in Matthew chapter 20 we see Jesus teach a principle of what Greatness means in the kingdom.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Those who do and teach according to the word of God shall be called great,

Today in Matthew chapter 20 we see Jesus teach a principle of what Greatness means in the kingdom.

I. Greatness is often hindered by pride.

17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

a. Vs 17-19 (Jesus is on his way to the cross and his time is almost finished)

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

b. Vs 20 Notice the word “Then” after Jesus foretells his near future along comes Salome (The mother of james and john)

c. She kneels and if she’s come to worship, however she has other motives. She comes for what Jesus can offer her,

d. Often today people still come to Jesus for the same selfish motives.

Salome’s request reflects what she believes about greatness, perhaps she thought because of the family connection her boys might be more worthy. Whatever the case greatness to her was a place of power and authority. (At the right hand of God)

Her definition was rooted in self-centeredness

And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

Vs 21 Notice even though Jesus was about to die he still immediately asked “what wilt thou”… “What can I do for you?” Regardless of circumstances we should always have a attitude of service.

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Vs 22 There is a price which comes with greatness. Kingdom greatness is going down, to go up. It’s not exalting yourself it’s humbling yourself.

He must increase, but I must decrease.

When the scriptures say we need to decrease and he must increase we need to ask ourselves some questions

Have i neglected seeking God’s will for my life

Am I too occupied with my dreams and desires

Am I more concrened with my well being over my brothers

Do i care more about spreading Gossip or the gospel.

HE MUST increase and we MUST DECREASE.

Gretness is hindered by Pride

II Greatness is Seen In Our Service

And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

Vs 24 Indignant (feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.)

Mark 9:33-35

33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

This wasnt the first time this conversation has arose, so I don’t believe they were appalled at the audacity of james and john and salome, i believe they were upset that they were not in the running.

King James Version Chapter 20

25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them

Vs 25 Jesus used the reaction in vs 24 and taught a lesson. He points out that greatness in the worlds eyes is lording over others, positions of authority.

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Vs 26 Jesus says it Shall Not Be among you. He says whoever will be great must be a servant (the word minister in this instance speaks of servant hood)

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Vs 27

Vs 27 the word servant is translated doulas which means a person whos sole interest is in his master. Vs 26- & 27 are the ingredients of Kingdom greatness.

as christians our sole interest should be in our master.

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Vs 28 Kingdom greatness is only found through jesus and the cross. Jesus wasn’t here to be served and neither should we be. Ransom is the price paid for the freedom of one held captive.

Kingdom greatness is hindered by pride, seen in our service and finally

III seen in our giving

King James Version Chapter 20

29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Matthew 20:29-34

29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Vs 29-34 no one would have blamed Jesus if he had passed by the blind man. After all he was headed to die, and had more on his mind. However Jesus stands still and puts into action what he had been preaching about service.

Vs 29-34

29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.Vs 29-34

When we prefer giving over receiving and serving over being served we meet true kingdom greatness.

Greatness Kingdom Style

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